Tuesday Tip....

Have you ever had a card where you have used dimensionals to "pop up" your focal image to give it dimension, but are then faced with the problem of where to put the greeting?  

Well here is a very easy solution. 

Make a "flag strip" from cardstock and stamp your greeting in the center. 

Grab your simply scored and score on either side of the greeting( make sure it is at least as wide as your focal image) and then about 1/4 inches to either side.  

Fold on the score lines and use your square punch to "flag" both ends. 

Now your greeting is high enough to go OVER your focal image that has been pop dotted. 

Monday Madness- 12th week of Christmas 2012....

Well Christmas is almost here...and instead of a papercraft item....this time I want to share a recipe for a yummy Christmas treat- Fiddle Faddle! 

Homemade Fiddle Faddle

Ingredients

1 cup margarine

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 tea butter flavoring

1 tea maple flavoring

1/4 tea cream of tartar

1 tea baking soda

7 quarts popped popcorn

2 cups mixed nuts

Directions: 

In saucepan combine brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt. Boil for 6 minutes stirring constantly

Add flavorings, cream of tartar and soda.

Pour over popcorn and nuts and mix thoroughly. 

Bake in 200 degree oven for one hour.  

Sunday Sketches

Hello Girls!  

Here are your weekly sketches!  Have fun and remember to share your cards and pages! 

The true meaning of Christamas...

Please watch this beautiful video: 

Friday Card Share

Today's card share is a clean and simple card using the clear block stamping method. 

You use a clear acrylic block to stamp a background, then use stamps and bright coloured inks to embellish. 

A simple button and jute twine finish off this simple card beautifully. 

Want to learn how to make cards and learn techniques similar to this one?  Join us for card class- see class schedule at the top of this blog!

Thursday Tool Talk

Today's tool is not one that you purchase....it is one that everyone already has- your fingernail! 

Use your fingernail to "stab" the center of a dimensional that has been applied to card stock.  This causes the edge to lift up and make it super easy to remove the paper! 

How cool is that!

Wednesday Scrapbooking

This scrapbook page features pictures of my handsome Dad and my beautiful Mom on their wedding day. 

Tuesday Tip

Use painters tape to mask off a panel on your card.  

Be very sure to get a good seal at the edges of the tape, ensuring that ink will not seep underneath the edge. 

But we all know that the tape is very sticky, and will rip the card.  So take the tape, and adhere it to your sleeve a couple of times, then put it on your card.I have found that this leaves just the right amount of tackiness.  

  Ink the space between the tape....

 Remember that when you remove the tape when you are done, do not lift upward, but rather slowly pull the tape horizontally. 

 Voila!

11th Week of Christmas......

Christmas is just a couple weeks away.....and what better to share with you today than this quick and easy handmade bookmark! 

This is a project shared with us by Stampin' Up. Isn't it lovely!  Imagine getting one of these along with a new book....what a great gift idea! 

Here are the instructions: 

K Bookmark

Stamps Broadsheet Alphabet Set Creative Elements Set Paper Peach Parfait Card Stock: 4" x 2-1/2"; 4" x 2-1/2" Pool Party Card Stock: 4" x 4"; 2-1/4" x 4"; 3-3/4" x 1-7/8"  Soft Suede Card Stock: 4" x 1-3/8"  Very Vanilla Card Stock: 2-1/4" x 4" Ink Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad Peach Parfait Classic Stampin' Pad  Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad VersaMark Pad Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker Accessories & Tools Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon: 8"  Linen Thread: 30" Pearl Basic Jewels Stampin' Dimensionals Color Spritzer Tool Crop-A-Dile  Curly Label Punch Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch Eyelet Punch 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack Simply Scored

Instructions

1.     Score diagonal lines from the top middle to the middle of each side of the Pool Party Card Stock (4" x 4"). Fold the card stock on the score lines.

2.     Stamp the large flourish image in Pool Party ink on the front of the bookmark.

3.     Stamp the label flourish image in Early Espresso ink on the bookmark, and cover it with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. Remove the excess powder and heat emboss the image. 

4.     Punch a border along the bottom edge of the bookmark using the Eyelet Punch.

5.     Adhere the Soft Suede Card Stock strip to the front of the bookmark. Wrap the Linen Thread around the bookmark three times, and then tie it in a bow.

6.     Punch a scallop circle from the Peach Parfait Card Stock using the 1-3/4" Circle Punch and adhere it to the front of the bookmark.

7.     Stamp the large flourish image in Peach Parfait ink on the Very Vanilla Card Stock. Stamp the letter in Early Espresso ink over the Peach Parfait flourish and cover it with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. Remove the excess powder and heat emboss the image. Punch out the embossed letter using the Curly Label Punch.

8.     Punch a small flower from the Pool Party Card Stock (2-1/4" x 4") using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Distress the flower, adhere a Pearl Basic Jewel to the center of it, and adhere it to the Very Vanilla label. Adhere the label to the bookmark using Stampin' Dimensionals.  

9.     Punch a hole in the top of the bookmark using the Crop-A-Dile. Thread the Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon through the hole and tie it in a knot.

10.  Stamp "No. 3" on the back of the bookmark.

11.  Stamp the large flourish image in Pool Party ink on the Pool Party Card Stock (3-3/4" x 1-7/8"). Stamp a border image and a sentiment in Early Espresso ink on the Pool Party Card Stock. Cover both images with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. Remove the excess powder and heat emboss the images. Adhere the Pool Party triangle to the folded flaps to keep them closed.

12.  Punch a small flower from the Peach Parfait Card Stock using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Adhere a Pearl Basic Jewel to the center of the flower and then adhere the flower to the back of the bookmark.

13.  Punch a border from the remaining piece of Peach Parfait Card Stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch. Adhere the border to the inside of the bookmark. 

Spritz both sides of the bookmark with the Color Spritzer Tool and the Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker.

Sunday Sketches

Here are your weekly sketches, have fun and remember to share so we can inspire others! 

It is almost time........

Feeling overwhelmed.....

This is a crazy, amazing, wonderful, busy, fun, rushed time of the year.  I have just one question...

...

...

Just like a little black dress......

Sometimes you need....little black pearls to make that perfect card or scrapbook page. 

That can be a problem.....a while back I told you how you can take permanent markers ( I use Bic) to color your pearls and rhinestones.  

For black ones....this is an even easier option:

Take your fingertip sponge and grab your stazon black ink.  Use the sponge applicator to "color" your pearls....voila....the perfect little black pearls!  

Shel’s Stampin’ News              December 2012

Hey Girls!  Happy December!  Guess what…only 22 more sleeps! 

I hope you all have started your Christmas shopping and decorating! We put up our tree this week and wrapped all the presents this weekend, and I mailed my parcel to my parents and my son to the east coast.  So we are well on our way to being organized and ready to go.

Now I have two weeks of classes, then, plan an early Christmas with my son Jesse and his family.  When that is done I have to plan Christmas Day dinner with Mike’s boys and family.  Yes it is a busy time of year! 

Saturday, I also did my pre-order for the new Spring Catalog!  I cannot wait to get my new stamps and supplies, so I can begin creating new cards and scrapbook pages for your classes!  

There is a ton of amazing stuff in the new catalog!  I cannot wait to share it with you in January!  There are great new framelit dies (and bundles), super new embossing folders, and loads of new stamp set…..and the accessories…oh my!

Also, Sale-a-Bration starts in January 22 and ends March 22 !  WooooHoooo!  It is the best time of the Stampin’ Up! Year……free products!  For every $60.00 of products you purchase, you get to pick one item from the Sale-a-Bration flyer for FREE!  WooooooHooooo!

So as you can see, January is going to be a good month!  

Here are your sketch challenges for this month:

Here is our card sketch and a bonus sample for you!  This is a sketch and card I made for SUDSOL demonstrators Chat & Challenge.  

   

And your scrapbook sketch: 

Upcoming Classes:

December: 
Thur 6th- Scrapbooking Class- FULL
Thur 13th- Card Class- 1 seat left

January: 
Thur 10th- Scrapbooking Class
Fri 11th- Girls Night Out Card Class
Thur 24th- Card Class
Fri 25th- Girls Night Out Scrapbooking Class
Sat 26th- Morning & Afternoon Card Classes

February: 
Thur 7th- Scrapbooking Class
Fri 8th- Girls Night Out Card Class
Sat 16th- Specialty Class- Mini Album $25.00 flat fee 
Thur-21st Card Class
Fri 22nd- Girls Night Out Scrapbooking Class
Sat 23rd- Morning & Afternoon Card Classes

Well girls, that is it for this month….short and sweet.  

Check my blog for daily updates, samples, specials, promotions, tutorials etc. 

 I want to wish each of you a very happy holiday season.  Merry Christmas to all!
 

Shel

Easy Events for Christmas.....

This card features the ever so versatile stamp set called Easy Events.  This stamp set has the image and greeting for numerous occasions- LOVE IT!  Whisper white, gumball green and cherry cobbler are featured in this clean and simple card. 

Weekly Sketch Challenge

Card Sketch:

 Scrapbook Sketch:

10th Week of Christmas.....

Triple Time Stamping- what fun! 

This card is really beautiful and fun to make as well.  The only downfall is that it uses quite a bit of cardstock. 

Supplies:  

Basic Black Cardstock 11x4.25(base 5.5 x 4.25)
Very Vanilla Cardstock 5.25x4
Basic Black Cardstock 4.25x3.75(mat) 
Very Vanilla Cardstock 4 x 3.50
Glimmer Paper3.25 x 2.50(mat) 
Very Vanilla Cardstock 3.00 x 2.25
Always Artichoke Ink
Raspberry Ripple Ink
Cherry Cobbler Ink
Creative Elements Stamp Set
Watercolor Winter Stamp Set
Greetings of the Season Stamp Set
temporary adhesive

Method: 
- use temporary adhesive to adhere all vanilla pieces together and stamp card. 
- remove and mat each piece of vanilla on coordinating mats. 
- simply line up each mat with images on mat below

You can use any stamps for this technique, and you can even move your mats around so they are offset if you desire.  Have fun with this one...it is different from the everyday!

All the cuteness....without all the work

No, It is not a card....it is another timely promotion for the holidays!  

If you are looking of cute ways to package little treats here is an affordable and adorable solution at 20% off! 

Petite Treats Bundle includes 10 glassine bags, 8 pieces handstitched felt and 10 yards gumball green stitched ribbon for just $18.25

Trimmings and Tags Bundle includes 25 glassine bags, 25 double sided tags and 10 yard of cherry cobbler sweater trim for just $17.50

Blast from the past.....

Blast from the past....it's Dasher!  This is another clean and simple card made with early espresso, whisper white and pool party cardstock.  The rhinestone was colored with a permanent marker.  The greeting is from Delightful Dozen. 

Clean and simple Christmas.....

Clean and simple in midnight muse and whisper white. The embossing folder is Holiday Frame. The ribbon is midnight muse stitched ribbon and of course the ornament image is from the Ornament Keepsakes and was cut out with the holiday ornaments framelits. 

Pink for Christmas....

This card features whisper white and primrose petals card stock.  The embossing folder is Northern Flurry.  The mittens are from the stamp set Make a Mitten and punched out with the mitten punch.  The ribbon is the primrose petals stitched. 

Embossed Cherry Cobbler

This clean and simple card was a class favorite.  It features cherry cobbler and whisper white cardstock.  It was embossed with the edge embossing folder.  The greeting is from Perfectly Penned stamp set and the ribbon is cherry cobbler scalloped tulle ribbon

9th Week of Christmas.....easy gift tags.....

Easy and quick handmade gift tags....

Supplies needed:  

Tags Til Christmas Stamp Set pg 11 $27.95 

Gumball Green Ink Pad pg152 $7.25

White Card stock pg 156 $9.25

Decorative Label Punch pg 182 $22.95

Simply stamp the image on white card stock and punch out with the modern label punch.  If you want to dress it up a bit...use markers to color the stamp- chocolate chip for the pine cone, gumball green for the branch and real red for the frame and words.  Add a bit of dazzling details to the branch for a glittery effect. 

Sunday Sketches.....

Here are this weeks sketch challenges: 

8th Week of Christmas...two easy gift ideas.....

On the 8th week of Christmas....my demonstrator showed me....how to recycle and make two really cute, fast, easy and inexpensive gifts for Christmas- tea light candle holder and tree ornaments with snowflake die! 

 

Supplies Needed: 

Aluminum Flashing or pop cans

Snowflake die

Big Shot

Tea light candles

Process:  

This is oh so simple...use your snowflake die to cut out two aluminum snowflakes- personally I prefer the pop cans as it adds a bit of color along with the silver color.  

Carefully bend and shape the snowflakes to accept the tea light. Use crystal effects to glue the two snowflakes together (I clamped them until they were dry.  Then I just placed the tea light in the center....this way when the candle has burned up, I can easily replace it. 

This is a very quick, inexpensive and lovely gift idea for the holiday season....who doesn't love a beautiful handmade with love gift. 

Another idea is that you can use two of the single snowflakes as tree decorations....just bend them together for a 3D effect and add some pretty ribbon to hang it on your tree. 

Tuesday's Tip...

Each Tuesday, I will be featuring a simple tip to make your scrapping and card making a little bit easier.  

Be sure to let me know what you think. 

If you have ever stamped a solid image (especially with the older felt pads) and  find that there are white spaces because the ink did not completely cover, I have a fix for that! 

Grab a blender pen...touch it to the side of the ink pad to pick up some ink and fill in your white spots- voila- no more "patchy" image. 

How easy is that?

Monday Madness.....

Hello Everyone!  

Yes, Monday's are usually a madhouse....but this one is particularly so as I am trying to play catch up with everything I did not get done yesterday. 

I must apologize for my weekly sketches being late....I was hit with a wicked headache yesterday, so bad I could not sit upright. 

Thankfully I am feeling a little better today...so here are your weekly sketch challenges: 

Scrapbook Challenge:

 Card Challenge:

I haven't received any of your challenges back in quite a while....c'mon ladies- share your pages so we can inspire others! 

Week of Scrap - Day Five

Week of Scrap- Day Four

Challenge:  Flourishes, Stickles and Pearl Pen

 Challenge:  Peek a Boo Window and Flag

Week of Scrap- Day 3

Challenge:  Filmstrip and Stars

 Challenge:  White Ink and Iridescent Glimmer Spray

Week of Scrap- Day Two

 A challenge to encorporate a zipper into layout:

Week of Scrap- day one

Each month, I make a framed art piece from my scaps.....here are a couple of samples: 

On The Seventh Week of Christmas.....

my demonstrator showed me how to make easy and super cute gift tags!

Supplies Used:

Very Vanilla Cardstock 6" x 3"
Be of Good Cheer DSP 2" x2"
Hole Punch
Mitten Punch
Greeting Stamp- Four the Holidays
Bakers Twine

Owl wish you a Merry Christmas.....

Gumball Green....such a yummy color. And this cute little own from the Owl Occasions stamp set....isn't he cute!

Lovely as a Tree....

This easy card is made with the Lovely as a Tree stamp set on page /4 #127793 $24.95 .  The Whisper White and Midnight Muse cardstocks are striking.  A white gel pen and glitter pen make this a super simple card to make.